Could it be that Summer is ebbing in these “dog days”? If so, there’s absolutely nothing we can do about it. Could it be that Labor Day and the start of school (and traffic) are just around the corner?I try to put that out of my mind and tell myself to be in the moment as I dream of an Endless Summer. Then I tell myself that Fall and beautiful co …
Last Sunday we ventured into the city for our annual visit to the beautiful Guggenheim (see picture). Summer in the city weekends present less hustle, bustle and traffic as we left early. We zoomed into the city in about a half hour and quickly found a street spot before entering Wright’s beautiful creative edifice. Who could resist a flurry of p …
We vacationed last week at the shore and I found it the perfect opportunity to read “Two Women In The Trunk” a “Sergeant Markie Mystery” written and self published by Tony Celano. Tony Celano? Yes our Tony Celano, long time Gotham member and former Chair of our legendary Bandit Group. To my knowledge, "Trunk" is Tony’s initial writing effort and i …
Like the song says, It’s Summertime and the living is easy. You could alter the words a bit and say It's Summertime and the commuting is easy, as once school ends for the Summer and people migrate to the beaches, my daily drive from Nassau County to Long Island City becomes far easier and quicker (as much as a half hour each way). In a way it is a …
A high school friend who is a reader of my Friday With Fred blog sent me the following email last weekend:You always do great “starters” and I thought if you had remembrances of yours [First Friend] it might qualify for a prompt for your followers. I began thinking about my happy childhood and those who contributed to memories that made it “fond”, …
I have never been a good dancer. I just don’t get it and as a consequence have not danced in years. My wife Joanne, however, is the Natural on the dance floor. Last Saturday we went to a party and the music was from our era and she asked me to dance and I surprised myself with my willingness. Well, surprise surprise, I was out there moving just ab …
I live on the North Shore of Long Island and when I sit in my back yard I notice the never ending, clockwork pattern of big jets passing high above, somewhat to the South in an East/West pattern. I imagine they are coming from Europe and guess they are on the way to JFK.I have actually timed them and the intervals are around a minute and a half. I …
Have you ever noticed that two people present at the same event oft times have different memories?I had that experience last week when I had dinner with a high school friend who, unbeknownst to me, is a reader of my Friday With Fred Blog. The first word out of his mouth was Zelig. I took the bait and said I’m like Zelig and have been witness to ma …
Gotham held it’s annual Bob Formica Golf Outing this past Monday and I must say that besides the beautiful verdant rain enriched course the golf cart, not the golf, was the best part. Every year Paul Napolitano and spouse Victoria Drogin are in my foursome (we missed Hard Hitting Don Bernstein this year) and, lucky me, I'm paired with Victoria in a …
If you knew today was your last day on earth what would you do?Who would you be with?Who would you reach out to talk to?What would you say that you haven’t said?What credit or praise would give that you haven’t given. What wrongs would you try to right?What debts would you pay?What gifts would you give?Who would you tell of your love?What self indu …
Preface: This story is written from the perspective of our dog Charcoal who was visited upon for a week by Lucy, our son’s vacationing family’s fellow Schnoodle:I’m Charcoal in color and fellow female Lucy is White . Lucy is a year or two older than me and when I came on the scene as a hyperactive puppy my recollection is that she was not too welc …
One of the very very special things in my Afterlife is the weekend ritual of having batting practice with my 51 year old son David and his 20 year old son Jackson, my Batman teammates (pictured), at the local school yard. We bring a box of balls, take turns as one hits, one pitches and one shags. There are muscle memories and eternal memories being …
Sometimes my eyes open in the predawn hour and I sample the silence and as I lay there I hear a chirp and then an answer and the silence is sweetly broken. Soon our dog Charcoal stirs as if on signal and the first cracks of dawn emerge and the sweet chirping increases. It is an ordinary, but highly over looked (or slept through), sensual experience …
Every year we go to a Yankee/Met game and we still have a limited number of tickets available for the above game at the Mets Citi Field. Before I go on, a continuing expression of appreciation is sent out to Corey Bearak for making all the ticketing and seating arrangements for our Tribe!I am a life long Yankee fan, but in all the prosperous years …
I belong to an all male book group. It is headed by my muse, Jay Gould. Inasmuch as it was originated by a bunch of Sea Cliff and neighboring guys I have dubbed it the North of 25A Book Group. It is a highly eclectic group and it’s amazing how far afield we can wander when we get together periodically to discuss the chosen book. I wonder if th …
Fridays With Fred
A perfect way to send you into your weekend